Protect Our NHS (BANES) Group has evolved out of 38degrees Bath Group which was formed in 2012 to fight the implementation of the Health and Social Care Bill proposed by the Tory/Libdem Coalition. Since the bill was passed they have been monitoring its effects and campaigning against changes that would have a detrimental effect on the Health and Social Care provision in Bath and surrounding areas.

Protect Our NHS is a 38 Degrees inspired group of people in Bristol, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire campaigning for a free, public National Health Service. They are affiliated to Keep Our NHS Public.

They support a health service where the needs of the public, patients and professionals come before privatisation and profit. They want to hold local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) to account to prevent private companies taking over local services.

Save Westbury Hospital

Westbury Hospital Campaign Group (WHCG) formed in August 2005, covering Westbury town and surrounding villages, with a population of about 18,000. The group was spurred by the closure without consultation of the local community hospital in August 2005. Many events have been held including a protest march with over 1,000 supporters attending, a candle lit vigil, a balloon launch, public meetings, a letter writing campaign to the Department Of Health and local PCT, and petitions. Local MP Andrew Murrison has given huge support, attending most protests. Most effective were the marches as they attracted huge media coverage and were very well covered by the press. The group has also attended meetings of Health and Overview Scrutiny committees and PPFI meetings and has had excellent coverage from the local press.

Stroud Maternity Matters

Stroud Maternity Matters was formed in May 2006 in response to sweeping cuts proposed by the Cotswold & Vale Primary Care Trust. The campaign is compiling a financial report to illustrate that Stroud Maternity is cost effective, and raising awareness of the long term costs to the NHS if Stroud closes. Other tactics include writing to MPs, Health Service chiefs, other Midwife-led Units, the local and national press, and also lobbying local council members for support. Other events are planned such as a march through town with other campaigners to help protect sites like Weavers Croft and in-patient services at Stroud General, as well as Stroud Maternity.

West Cornwall HealthWatch

Following a successful local campaign to defeat a proposal to close a psycho-geriatric unit in Penzance, HealthWatch formed in January 1997 with the aim of acting as a watchdog group to monitor all aspects of local NHS provision, and to encourage people to work proactively with health planners rather than simply reacting to decisions already made. As a non-party political organisation, HealthWatch aims to safeguard and improve NHS services in West Cornwall. Marches, mass letter writing and lobbying of local NHS bodies have all helped to maintain a high media profile, and to contribute positively to the healthcare policies of local town and parish councils.

Save our NHS Petitions - 38 Degrees

The campaign group '38 Degrees' have formulated several petitions, addressed to MPs in specific areas, to allow people to show their disagreement over privatisation and funding issues. Over the past few years, NHS funding has been squeezed so much that services are suffering. This winter, hospitals up and down the country have declared "major incidents" because they're struggling to cope. And now most hospitals are warning that their budget for next year has " reached the point where patient care is at risk. Meanwhile, the government is letting profit-hungry companies take over more and more NHS services. At at a time of squeezed budgets, this is the last thing the NHS needs. To add your name to a petition, find your nearest town below:

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